Cat litter for soil

Bagobonz

Hi All,

I have seen on here many people using and talking about cat litter as a soil additive, usually instead of akadama. I also saw the use of Oil-Dri (the main ingrediant in cat litter. On the Oil-Dri site they specify that their product is used in Johnny Cat litter and Cat Pride Litter, both of which are availble locally to me. My question is - has anyone used either of these? Which one? and of the different types of litter (ie scented, uncented, multi cat, etc) which one did you use? Last question. Have you had any problems with cats in the neighborhood wanting to water your bonsai for you.

Thanks for the input

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Moskowitz

I have read somethings about this too. I have a tree that i have planted using cat litter. I read about ways to test it to see if it will not break down.. that is the biggest problem with litter. Then they make mush and kill your roots. I read once about putting the litter in water and freeze it sveral times and let it thaw between each freeze. That seemed to work for my product. Check the ingredients on the bag. Should only be using clay products. Mine had some scent to it but it went away and didnt seem to hurt my tree. The tree has been in a 4(litter) to 1(soil) mix and is growin very nicely. The product i use i think is Jhonnie cat or something like that in a yellow bag. Good luck.

Mindcrime

Many litters contain only clay products, but it has to be a specific kind so this is NOT a reliable way of judging wether or not a certain brand/litter will be useable for bonsai.

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AlainK

There's an article that has just been updated on Harry Harrington's excellent site :

http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm

Not all cat litter products are suitable for use as bonsai soil, but some seem to work fine.

Anyway, we have the opportunity to buy pumice and pozzolane (3-5 mm) for 5€ / 30 litres, and composted pine bark for 3.50 € / 30 litres from a local company, even people from Belgium comme here, fill up the van, and bring it back to their club, so...

(I'm even thinking of switching from cat litter to pumice for my cat, it would save me money... ;°) )

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